Tools + Resources

That simple question set us on a journey that began four years ago when we first conceived our Advisor Transition Report.

No doubt, some advisors move primarily because they get paid highly lucrative recruiting deals to do so. But what about advisors who opted for a version of independence, where transition capital is less available or even non-existent? Or others who approach due diligence with complete disregard for recruiting deals, preferring to evaluate each firm on their own merits because their only focus is to make life better for their clients?

So, we set out on that journey to answer the “why” with the full realization that understanding the “where” and the “how” were key.

And that began our annual endeavor to arm advisors with the information they need to make an informed decision—even those who have no intention of making a move.

Connecting the dots between data from publicly available sources and our own experiences with advisor transitions, this year’s annual Advisor Transition Report answers these questions and more:

• Which firms are having the most and least success recruiting and retaining advisor talent?
• Which business models are advisors finding most attractive?
• Why are advisors at big brokerages and independent firms alike changing jerseys?
• What is the state of transition deals?
• What were the most influential and largest transitions made during the year?

In no way will this report answer the question of whether you should stay at your current firm or pursue change. This report, however, is built on the premise that knowledge is power. It seeks to use objective, raw data coupled with insightful expert analysis to answer the questions posed above. Ultimately, we hope it will serve as a tool for advisors to evaluate if the grass might be greener elsewhere.